THE WORLD STILL NEEDS HEROES - AND THERE ARE HEROES ALL OVER THE WORLD!

The Champions have gone global! The team has seen explosive growth under Ms. Marvel's leadership, with super-powered members ready to answer the call in a dozen different countries.

They're saving people and improving lives across the planet while they inspire the next generation... but something sinister lurks beneath the surface of their expanded mission.

It's a dark secret that could destroy the team and everything they stand for!

Jim Zub (AVENGERS: NO SURRENDER, UNCANNY AVENGERS) and Steven Cummings (Wayward, Legends of the Dark Knight) ignite a new era of CHAMPIONS, filled to the brim with action, adventure and drama in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

Rated T+ - 32 pgs./$3.99 - On Sale January 2nd

Black Order #3 - Written by Derek Landy. Art by Philip Tan. Cover by Philip Tan. Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher.

You just can't work to destabilize an empire these days without drawing the attention of at least one pesky super-powered hero, now can you?

All the Black Order wants to do is usurp, assassinate and sabotage, and here comes the man called Nova to spoil all the fun...

Eva Alexander tells the doctor that Sam received his concussion from being hit by debris during Kluh's
attack on Carefree. She also mentions that Sam has had previous concussions due to being a skateboarder. The doctor tells Sam to wear a helmet from now on.
As the Alexanders leave, she also recommends that the teenager avoid physical contact and bright lights.

Once outside, the doctor's office is revealed to be a tent sent up by aid workers. The workers are also setting up facilities to help the survivors of a devastated Carefree. As the two walk through the
camp, an elderly man is helping pass out water to the residents. Sam introduces the man to his mother. She is shocked to learn that he is Steve Rogers!

The former Captain America and Eva step to the side and have a conversation while Sam waits a few feet away. The young Alexander is convinced he is in major trouble and Steve Rogers is going to convince his mother to have him stop being
Nova. After the talk, Eva Alexander comes back over to her son, kisses him on the cheek and tells him to have a safe trip.

A few minutes later, Sam and Steve board an Avengers quinjet and head to New York City. Along the way, Steve Rogers asks about Sam Alexander's health. Sam is honest and tells him that it's
harder than usual for him to concentrate in school and he wants to sleep all the time.

The teen asks the elderly hero how he is spending his time now that he's not Captain America. Steve
mentions he is catching up on films, music and books. After they land, Steve reminds Sam to put on his helmet to protect his secret identity.

As they enter Avengers Mansion, Sam is shocked to hear Steve Rogers announce that Nova is officially being named as an Avenger!

Once inside, the shocked teenager meets the Avengers' butler Jarvis who asks him to stand in front of a wall for a moment. Steve Rogers takes Sam's photo in order to finish Nova's Avengers ID card.
After the picture is taken, Steve moves Sam to the primary lab so the Avengers Artificial Intelligence computer system (also named JARVIS) can run a set of tests on him.

25 minutes and 8 medical tests later, Nova exits the lab and finds a number of the Avengers waiting for him!

The awe-struck hero from Carefree awkwardly attempts to introduce himself. Spider-Man whispers to Thor
that Nova has a serious head injury.

Jarvis arrives with Nova's identification card. Sam is confused to see that it looks like a restuarant's diner card with his name on it. However, once the teen picks up the card, it changes into the actual Avengers card
complete with his Nova photo and Steve Rogers's signature on it!

Spider-Man explains that the card only works when an Avenger picks it up. He also begins taking photographs of Sam with the other Avengers so Nova can send them to his mother later. The new Captain America (formerly the Falcon)
explains to Sam Alexander that he is a provisional Avenger until he is eighteen and doesn't make any further mistakes. Nova wonders what mistake he has already made.

Steve Rogers informs him that he disobeyed an order when he flew off to fight Kluh. He further explains that another serious infraction will mean his dismissal from the team.
Steve makes sure to end the lecture by telling Sam that he did a great work saving thousands of people.

As they celebrate, Nova finds that hanging out with a drunk Thor who is telling stories makes him miss his father. Suddenly, the new Captain America yells for the Avengers to assemble!
A passenger airplane's engines have exploded from hitting birds and is about to crash in downtown Manhattan!

Cap instructs Nova and Captain Marvel to fly ahead and do what they can until the rest of the Avengers can arrive. Captain Marvel catches the plane and Nova blasts a construction cable whose steel beam is obstructing
the plane's path. Captain Marvel catches the falling steel beam while Thor arrives to land the plane safely on the ground.

Later, Steve Rogers walks out with Nova as he prepares to leave Avengers Mansion. Steve asks Sam what he is going to do about the damaged Nova helmet. The teen hero believes he can have it repaired but it requires
going to deep space. The former Captain America suggests Nova talk to the Beast who might have some suggestions. As Nova leaves, Spider-Man and Steve
Rogers agree that Sam has potential assuming he lives long enough to become a man.

Later, while looking at the photos Spider-Man took, Sam Alexander admits that he wanted to use the Nova powers for his own selfish reasons at first. He now understands that he doesn't have the powers for himself but for everyone else.

Over the new few weeks, Sam doesn't become Nova and focuses on his recovery. The headaches make school hard but his teachers help him through it.

Eva Alexander comes into Sam's room as he's looking at the photos again. She reminds him that maintaining his secret identity is the most important thing about being Nova. Sam agrees and promises to never reveal his secret.

At the Carefree bus terminal, red-haired man asks the station attendant if he knows where he can find Sam Alexander. The attendant suggests he do an Internet search or leave a message. The mysterious visitor agrees to leave a message
and kills the man with his red symbiotic tendrils!